The event is part of an initiative called Circular City Studio, launched in 2018 by Newlab to showcase new technology that could make New York more sustainable by increasing energy efficiency or reducing waste. According to Newlab’s news release on Tuesday, Circular City’s 2020 cohort includes two gov tech companies:
- Aclima: a platform and network of sensors that collect detailed data on air quality and emissions. According to its website, the San Francisco-based company was launched in 2008, has developed its technology in both private and public partnerships including with the Environmental Protection Agency, holds early patents for wearable air-quality sensors, and has raised more than $24 million in funding since 2016.
- RanMarine USA: a company based in Atlanta that makes autonomous drones for scooping up litter, biomass, microplastics and other detritus in waterways, as well as collecting water quality data. The company launched in February.
Newlab’s statement said Circular City put out the call in January and received applications from companies in 13 U.S. states and 16 countries, focused on two objectives: transitioning to a circular economy and improving energy efficiency in buildings. Aclima and Algramo’s innovations will focus on sustainable economy, Sapient Industries on building efficiency, and RanMarine USA on gathering data and cleaning the water around Governors Island.
Between now and a final public showcase event in October, all four companies will plan and launch pilot projects in testbed sites around Manhattan and Brooklyn, participating in monthly virtual workshops with experts and research institutions.
Registration for the initial online presentation on June 18 is available here.
